PYGMY RALLY AT BUHOMA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE May 4th, 2005

Here is an example of the gospel in action, bringing peoples together through Christian Love and Service. The following address was given during a rally including nine camps of about 600 Batua (Pygmies) who have come out of the forest and found new hope and health for their life and their children. This celebration lasted several hours and included a parade of the Batua camps; display of handcrafts; numerous speeches, songs and dances by various Batua and Bakiga groups; a play, and a firemaking demonstration; a tour of the new Health Centre, and a feast for everyone afterwards, hosted by the Kellermans. There were a couple thousand people in attendance, including both Batua and Bakiga, and a few Muzugu's (the Kellermans and seven of our ACTI mission team). The proceedings were presided over by the Bishop of Kinkiizi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. John Wilson Ntegyereize. It was announced that the Batua will be invited to enter the Diocese singing and dance competitions as well. A sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Pickett, Pastor of University Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM, USA, and leader of this 2005 Mission team. I, Barry McWilliams, had the honor of the closing prayer. These pictures are mine as well. There are still several thousand Batwa in the forest, and it is hoped that many more will be led by these to a new and better life.

Our Guest of Honour, The Diocesan Bishop, Government Officials, All invited guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you, our Guest of Honour and all our Guests to this function for the pygmy rally when we are celebrating 10 years as a Diocese.

Our Guest of Honour I would like to inform you that this is the first of its kind for the pygmies to be given a special recognition for a whole day.

On this note, I would like to thank God who gave our Bishop and Diocesan staff a vision to set aside a special day for the pygmies indicating that that God.does not discriminate.

Our Guest of Honour we chose to have this pygmy rally to be held at this particular place because it is adjacent to Bwjndi forest where it is said most of the Batwa originate. Secondly, it is the sub-county where we find the majority of the pygmies. We also wanted to show you the Health centre which has been built for the pygmies, where even the local people get treatment as well.

Previous status of Pygmies.

They lived in the forest where they mainly fed on honey, fruits and meat. . They had no clothing, no shelter, no beddings and even they never minded about their personal hygiene like bathing.

When they tried to come out to live among the local people, they were highly discriminated against as will be shown in their play.

The naming of their children was according to the prevailing situation: such names as Kakogosyo, Kiragwire, Mahano, Mbeere etc.

Appreciations.

Our Guest of Honour allow me to extend our sincere appreciation to the Bishop the Rt.Rev. John Wilson Ntegyereize and the Movement Government for their initiative to bring these pygmies from the forest. ie. out of the bush. Our special thanks go to the Bishop who got us friends of Kinkiizi in buying land for the pygmies for resettling them and even built for them houses at Kitariro and Byumba resettlement camps.

I would like to register our further appreciation to the movement government for creating peace in the country which enabled foreigners and Non-Governmental Organisations to come and join hands in the resettlement of pygmies. Land was also bought in the Camps of Kihembe, Karehe, Bikuuto and Mpungu. l am happy to say that these pygmies have built houses for themselves and now they have shelter. We only request government and Non-governmental Organisations to provide improved shelter like Iron roofed houses.

Allow me once again to thank the missionaries who have also played a big role in the resettling of pygmies through Kinkiizi Diocese. On this note, special thanks go to Dr.Scott and Carol Kellerman for the great work they are doing.

Achievements:

Our Guest of Honour, allow me to mention what the pygmies have achieved, some of which have been displayed.

They now own land.

They are growing their own crops for food unlike in the past when they used to go begging.

They are interacting with the local people because they can now drink and eat together.

They have sent their children to school and at the moment there are two children in secondary schools.

Personal hygiene has improved because they can now bathe, they even have drying racks and pit latrines.

Medical facilities have been availed to them ego Health units and we appreciate the good work being done by Dr.Scott and Carol Kellerman for treating pygmies free of charge.

They have acquired skills in carpentry, brick laying and concrete practice, knitting and weaving.

They have also set up fishponds, animal keeping in order to compensate for the meat they used to get in the forest.

They have a project of bee keeping for the honey they used to eat in the forest.

Those who missed education have joined FAL classes; they can now read and write.

They have joined the church and can now baptize their children and even wed in the church.

They have co-operated in being tested for HIV.

Conclusion:

I again take this Honour to thank you, for coming and join with us on this first pygmy rally as we celebrate 10 years as a Diocese. We thank you our Guest of Honour for allowing to come and preside over this rally. Special thanks go to Bishop and Dr.Scott and Carol Kellerman for the good work done for the pygmies. I further thank Dr. Scott and Carol Kellerman for the funds raised for this function to take place.